DDLS – Breaking Barriers in Competitive Dance

Project code: 884

Amount applied for

£1,000

---

Project Summary

Supporting DDLS dancers aged 8–18 with competition costs so every young person, regardless of background, can represent Ayrshire and Scotland on a national stage.

---

Project Description

DDLS is a local dance team with over 40 young dancers from across Ayrshire. Competing is an amazing opportunity, but costs stop some children taking part. Your vote will help every dancer shine on stage, no matter their background

The Dance Depot Lyrical Squad (DDLS) is part of Tracy Finlay’s Dance Depot in Kilwinning, an inclusive and welcoming dance school offering children and young people aged 8–18 the chance to develop their creativity, confidence, and wellbeing through dance.

DDLS is the competitive branch of the school, with over 40 local dancers proudly representing Ayrshire and Scotland at both national and international competitions. A highlight of the year is performing at the prestigious Blackpool Winter Gardens competition in March 2026, where dancers showcase the dedication, teamwork, and passion they’ve built throughout the season.

However, participation comes with significant costs—such as entry fees (around £80 per dancer for Blackpool), travel, and costumes—that can prevent some children from accessing these opportunities. Many DDLS families live in areas of high deprivation across Ayrshire (Kilwinning, Irvine, Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenston), where the cost-of-living crisis already makes it difficult to cover extras.

The Youth PB grant of £1,000 would go directly towards covering competition entry fees, ensuring that no dancer is excluded due to financial barriers. This support will help us keep competitive dance open to all young people, no matter their background.

By supporting DDLS, you are helping children and young people to:

• Gain confidence, resilience, and self-belief by performing at a national level.

• Build teamwork and discipline through training and shared goals.

• Experience the pride of representing their community and Scotland on stage.

• Access opportunities equally, regardless of family income.

This project is not just about dance—it’s about ensuring that every child has the same chance to shine, to belong, and to create lifelong memories through the power of community support.

Breakdown of Costs

• Competition entry fees (including Blackpool Winter Gardens 2026, £80 per dancer) – £1,000

Expected Outcomes

• At least 40 young dancers supported to attend competitions without financial barriers.

• Improved health, wellbeing, and confidence through active participation in dance.

• Increased equality of opportunity for young people from deprived areas across Ayrshire.

• Stronger community pride with local dancers representing Ayrshire and Scotland.

---

How have young people been involved in shaping this project?

Young people are at the heart of DDLS and have directly shaped this project. The dancers themselves regularly share their views with coaches and parents about the challenges they face in competitive dance, especially around the high costs of competitions, travel, and costumes. Many of them have expressed worries that friends might not be able to take part because of financial barriers. As a result, the fundraising team of parents and coaches worked with the dancers to design this application so that funding goes directly towards entry fees—the part of competition costs that every dancer faces equally. This ensures fairness and makes it possible for all dancers to represent Ayrshire and Scotland together as one team. Young people have also shaped the project by: Helping choose which competitions are most important to attend (e.g. Blackpool Winter Gardens). Feeding back that competing together as a full team, without anyone being left out, is what matters most to them. Sharing their stories of how dance has improved their confidence, friendships, and wellbeing, which inspired the focus of this application. We will continue to involve the dancers in decisions about fundraising and spending, giving them a voice in how the team grows and ensuring they feel ownership of the opportunities this funding provides.

Location: The Dance Depot Lyrical Squad (DDLS) is based in Kilwinning but brings together young people from across Ayrshire, including Irvine, Ardrossan, Saltcoats, and Stevenston. Many of these areas are among the most deprived in Scotland: Kilwinning has 6 data zones in the most deprived 20% nationally (SIMD 2020). Irvine has 20 zones within the most deprived 15%, including Castlepark and Fullarton. Ardrossan, Saltcoats, and Stevenston all have neighbourhoods in the bottom 10% of deprivation. This means that families often face real financial pressures, and the cost of opportunities like competitive dance can be out of reach without support. Our project directly benefits young people across these Ayrshire communities by ensuring they can take part in competitions, regardless of background. The impact is wider than just the dancers—it builds community pride when local young people represent Ayrshire and Scotland on a national stage.

Proposed on behalf of: DDLS is the competitive team from Tracy Finlay’s Dance Depot in Kilwinning, giving young people aged 5–18 from across Ayrshire the chance to compete at national level. Many of our dancers come from areas of high deprivation, and competition costs can be a barrier for families. The DDLS Fundraising Team is a group of parents and community members who work together to support the dancers. We raise funds, organise events, and build community support so that every child can take part in dance opportunities, regardless of background.DDLS is the competitive team from Tracy Finlay’s Dance Depot in Kilwinning, giving young people aged 5–18 from across Ayrshire the chance to compete at national level. Many of our dancers come from areas of high deprivation, and competition costs can be a barrier for families. The DDLS Fundraising Team is a group of parents and community members who work together to support the dancers. We raise funds, organise events, and build community support so that every child can take part in dance opportunities, regardless of background.